Spain

Huntelaar Makes Real Madrid Goal Pledge

After flying to the Spanish capital and passing a medical on Wednesday, the Dutchman was presented at the Bernabéu and managed to put his message across in Castellano.

Dec 4, 2008 9:07:46 AM

Klaas Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands (Firo)

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Klaas Jan Huntelaar - Netherlands (Firo)

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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar spoke his first words of Spanish during his presentation at Real Madrid following a transfer from Ajax that was agreed between the clubs earlier this week.

The Dutch striker expressed his pride at having signed for Los Merengues and posed for the traditional photograph with the club's honorary president, Alfredo Do Stéfano, and his new shirt with the number 19 on the back.

Alongside current president, Ramón Calderón, the new arrival smiled for the cameras before saying a short message to his new fans in Spanish.

"Thank you to Mr Di Stefano and the president. I am very proud to play for Real Madrid. Many goals. Thank you to everybody," Huntelaar stated.

Calderón then explained that the club had planned to secure the services of the 25-year-old goalscorer in the summer, but the injury to Ruud van Nistelrooy meant that they had to bring forward that idea.

Huntelaar is the sixth Dutch player in the Madrid squad with Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart, Arjen Robben and Royston Drenthe all with the club alreday.

"Some of the players I already know from Ajax. It's going to be easier to adapt here than at a club where I don't know anyone," the striker added in English.

"Real Madrid is the biggest team in the world. I'll be doing all I can to help us catch up."

--Lucas Brown, Goal.com